Flexible transmission and starting device for explosive-engines.



J. F. WHITE.

FLEXIBLE TRANSMISSION AND STARTING DEVICE FOR BXPLOSIVE ENGINES.

APPLIOATION FILED FBB.13 1909.

1,104,593, Patented July 21,1914.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

J. F. WHITE.

FLEXIBLE TRANSMISSION AND STARTING DEVICE FOR EXPLOSIVB ENGINES APPLICATION FILED FEB. 13' 1909. v

Patented July 21, 1914.

5 SHEETSSHEET 2.

J. I. WHITE.

FLEXIBLE TRANSMISSION AND STARTING DEVICE FOR. EXPLOSIVB ENGINES.

APPLICATION FILED I'RBJS, 1909 \Ni x Rm m Q x, I I \q. v E Ill. Hun I I I l 7 W hm J Nfi fi N m K u a Q W Patented July 21, 1914,

5 SHEETS-SHEET 3 I W NM vi//vQ NN m -g MN I I J. F. WHITE. FLEXIBLE TRANSMISSION AND STARTING DEVICE FOR EXPLOSIVE ENGINES.

APPLICATION FILED FEB.13,1909. 1,104,593. Patented July 21, 191i 5 SHEETSSHEET 4.

J. F. WHITE.

FLEXIBLE TRANSMISSION AND STARTING DEVICE FOR EXPLOSIVE ENGINES.

APlLIOATION FILED FEB. 13, 1909.

1,104,593, Patented July 21,1914.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 5. 7

WZ ritZfiea 7 5% 42. Y o O JOHN. vvitrrju,- or, BLOOMlNflON, iimmois.

FLEXIBLEYTRANSMISSION AND STARTINGDEVICE- eon EXPLO I E-E GINES,

Specification of Letters Patent.

PatentetlJuly 21, 1914.

Application and February s, 190a. Serial No. 477,579.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, JOHN F. WHITE, a

'citizen of the United States, residing at Blooming-ton, in the county of- McLean and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in F lexible Transmission and Starting Devices for ExplosiveEn'gines, of which the following is specification.

vide a flexible 'or elastic yielding connection.

between the motor and the main drive-shaft 2 of the mechanism, which shall relieve the usualclutch mechanism of wearyas well as obviate the sudden "or jerki starting frequently incidental to the application of the.

main clutch, as likewise the continuous ad- 2'5 just-ment necessary: second, to prottidr an automatic starting device for setting the en gine in operation, thus doing, away withthe usual cranking by hand; required for the starting-of an explosive engine; third,

to provide a device wherein energy generated in the normal operation of the .car'and without the use of exti -a levers,brakes or other accessories. such as have heretofore been employed, may be stored, to be subsequently released for the purpose of effecting the starting! of the motor; fourth, to

provide a mechanism of the character men-. tioned wherein the results secured are ob--- tained practically \vithout thc addition of 40 extra weight. such auxiliary parts as are required constituting in eti'ect parts v( f-the fly-wheel or 'i'noment'uin device; fifthg to provide a: device. wherein energy is stored that-is alwa vsavailable for use in restart-- ing the motor whentl'ie latter may have been stalled or killed by the. res stance of the load; si xt'hsto provide an automatic starter which shall also'be capable of being p I ...Q]')(5l72li1()ll. F g. 4 a view s milar to ligs. 10a

startediby hand i1it liQ 7tSSib.lQ event of a break-down orfailure '0 turn the engine sh a suliicicrf n-iunbe "iof ieaiolutions to effect tl'ie' 'startingsior in the-event. ofanyother circumstances rcq ii'ring==nianual startiiig;"sevciith ;to provide a device which will 55 prevent the stalling or killing" o'f the engine when shifting from-:1 low to a higher speed by forming a cushion against which the 'motor acts in taking up the load at each change of Speed; and, generally, to provide a simple, reliable, and largely .anto- 0 iiiatic device of the character. mentioned, requiri'ng but little space, and easily capable of application to known makes of autoinobile' transmissions.

In its main essential features my inven- 5 tion embodies, in connection with the usual engine shaft, a transmission shaft, :1 connection therebetween of a flexible 01-. elastically yielding character, together with' ---clutch mechanism through which suchfflexible connection is rendered effective .to store energy for the purpose of restarting the engine, as well as to constitute a cushioned drive, relieving shocks upon the engine,,the

car, and the passengers, and conducing to smooth and easy runnin In the accompanying drawings I have. illustrated two mechanical embodiments of- -the invention, both based on the same broad Y novel principle of operation, but (litteringsomewhat in specific form; theuse of which will be governed to some extentaccordingv to the amount-of space available for the ap-' plication of the device. In one ofthese forms, the drive is always transmittedthrough the spring cushion,-\vhile in the other it is transmitted through the. spring cushion up to a certain extent, after "which the drive may be practically continuous through the solid shaft. 1 The invention will be readilyunderstood when considered in connection with the .particular embodiments thereof hereinshow and referring to the .(l1tih'iiigS,=Flg\lle l" is a top piati view of the principal partsofdei'i 2 and 3, but showing a disconnected position of the parts suchas that assumed during coa'sting or rounding corners. Fig. 5'is atop 1 plan viev. of the form of the device shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4, the positions-illustrated 110 corresponding to that shown by'Fig flQ Fig.

6 is a View similar to Fig. '2 of inodified form of the invention, the corresponding arts being shown in the same relative posi-' ions as -1n Fig. 2. Fig. 7 is a transverse section on the line 77 of Fig. 6.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 5, inclusive, 10 designates as an entirety the frame, 11 the engines, 12 the engine shaft, 13 the driving or propelling shaft, 14 the housing or casing of the usual variable speed gearing, 15 the rear axle, 16 the differential gear on the rear axle,,17 the rear springs, and 18 the rear wheels of an ordinary type of automob le chassis, in connection wit which the device formin the subject-matter of this invention is chie y, although not exclusively, intended for use. g Y

My presentflexible transmission and starting dev1ce, as appliedto the driving gear of an automobile, such as is conventionally.

illustrated in Fig. 1, is located. between the engine shaft 12 and the transmission or pro- 'pelling shaft 13; and, in the form' shown in Figs. 1 to 5, inclusive, comprises the following arts: 19 designates one member of the riction clutch which, through its hub 20 and a binding screw 21, is made rigid center and guide the slidable clutch-member with the engine shaft 12. The other'or movableclutch-member 22 has a taperedor bev eled periphery adapted for cooperation with an internally beveled ring 23 that is bolted to the clutch-member 19; and in this connection I may state that the taper of the cooperating clutch-surfaces may be, and preferably is, of such'a pitch as to practically eliminate slippage and cause the two clutch-members to positively look when coupled. The hub 20 is chambered,,..and the clutch-member 22 has on its forward face an annular boss 24 that telescopes the cham-. ber of the hub in a manner to accurately 22. This latter has secured to or formed integral with its opposite faces an elon'- gated hub or sleeve 25 that, for a portion of its length, is slotted on opposite sides, as shown at 26. Lying within and co-axial with the sleeve 25 is a cylindrical spiral 27 that is continuous or rigid with the transmission or propelling shaft 13, the spiral 27 thus lying between and .in axial alinement with the opposed ends of the engine shaft 12 and the transmission shaft 13. Fitted to the spiral 27 to coiiperate' therewith is a somewhat elongated nut 29 that is splined to the sleeve 25 through the agency of radial projections 30 carrying rollers 31'which engage the slots 26. The nut 29 is formed with an annular shoulder 29 which,through an antifriction bearing 32, forms an abutment for one end of a strong spiral spring 33, the opposite end of which spring abuts against 'a similar annular shoulder 34 formed (in a collar 34 that is'keyed to the From this it will be of the spiral 27, whetherunder or against relative movement between the spiral and the sleeve. 'The abutting ends of the engine shaft 12 and spiral 27 are indicated at 35, and on these ends are mounted a pair of the action of the spring, tends to set up 'atoothed clutch-members 36 and 37, the. 5

former being splined on the engine shaft, as

shown at 38, and the latter being keyed on the spiral shaft, as shown at 39. The-contiguous facesofthese clutch-members have annular rows of clutch teeth so disposed that when the transmission shaft and spiral turn I in a direction corresponding to the forward direction of rotation of the engine shaft, as indicated by the arrows, the clutch-member 37 drives the clutch-member 36 and the engine shaft to which the latter is splined; while, when the movement of rotation is in the opposite direction, such as occasionally occurs through accidental back-kick of the engine, the clutch-member 36,then drives the clutch-member 37 and the spiralto which the latter is keyed. The clutch-member 36 is normally coupled with the clutch-member 37 by a coil spring 40, and the friction clutchmembers 19 and 22 are normally pressed into coupling relation by a spring 41 that surrounds the clutch-member .36, abutting at one end against the face of the disk 22 with in the annular boss 24 thereof, and at its other end having an antifric-tion hearing at 42 against the bottom wall of the chambered hub. The toothed clutch-member 37 preferably projects forwardly of the end of the'spiral shaft in a manner to form a hearing or thecontiguous end of the engine shaft, the latter thus serving to accurately aline and center the clutch-members 36 and 37 and 19 and 22. In order that the nut 29, driven by the tension spring 33, may be eflective to rotate the ,spiral shaft and, throughthe clutch,.36, 37, drive the engine shaft in a forward direction,- it is necessary to provide means for holding or looking the sleeve 25 against rotation when the clutchdisk 22 is disengaged from its mating member 19. This means, as herein shown, comprises a collar 43, loosely surrounding the transmission shaft 13, which collar is chambered-at its inner end and receives a sliding clutch-member 44 that coiiperates with a limited by a'stop-pin 47 engaging a slot 48 formed in the wall ofthe collar. The clutch-member 45'is'formed on a reduced end of the sleeve 25, over which the open end of the collar 43 is adapted to telescope,

said reduced end forming an annular shoulcollar 34 and the bottom of the chamber of the collar 43. The collar 43is designed to be actuated in opposition to the spring 50, through the agency of a pedal lever- 51 which, in practice, extends u wardly to a position readily accessible by tile foot of the operator; the lower end of said lever being connected to a transverse rock-shaft 52, on which latter is an arm 53 connected by a link 54, and an army 55 to a second rockshaft 56, on the ends of which latter are up wardly extending arms 57 1 having slotted upper ends that engage laterally projecting pins 58 in the sides of the collar From the foregoing it will be seen that when the lever 51 isdepressed to the position illustrated in Fig. 3, the collar 43 will be carried forwardly untilits end engages the annular shoulder 49 whereupon the sleeve and clutch-disk 22 will be moved to a position to uncouple the main friction clutch; and at the same time the two clutchn'ienibers 44 and are coupled so that the sleeve 25 is thereby held against rotation and, through the projections 30 of the nut 29, becomes an abutment or anchor for the latter, so that the endwise travel of the nut, under the influence of its impelling spring 33, sets up a rotary motion of the spiral shaft, which is transmitted to the engine shaft through the clutch-members 37 and 36., all as shown in Fig. 3.

In some cases it is desirable, in order that the transmission shaft 28 may run entirely free of he engine shaft, and in order to avoid the chattering and wear which results from the travel of the clutch teeth over each other in the backward direction, to entirely separate the cooperating members of both of the toothed clutches. This is effected in the case of the clutch members 36 and. 37 by meansof anannular rib 59 on the clutch-member 36, which forms a shoulder adapted to be contacted by the forward end of the sleeve 25 when the latter has been moved inwardly to the extent indicated in Fig. 4, thus retracting the clutch-member 3t wholly from its mating member 37. In the case of the clutch-members 44 and 45, this same effect is produced through the agency of an internal rib 60 on the clutch-member 44 which, when the collar 4;,- is moved to the extreme position shown in Fig. 4, strikes the ou er fan-e of the collar 34, which lattcr forms a stop that holds the clutch-member against further travel, so that the continued forwardmovement of the sleeve to tllQEX- 4 treme position shown inFig, 4 separjatesfthe clutch teeth.

The operatior of the mechanism as thus far described is as follows: Figs.'2 and 5 illustrate the relative posit-ions of the parts when the engine is first cranked, Which is done by hand. At this time the transmis- 'sion shaft is, of course, disconnected or in what is known as neutral position so as to be capable of turning freely without moving the car. The cranking of the engine shaft,

through the main friction clutch, rotates both members of the latter and, the transmission shaft being free to turn, the friction effect of the clutch-members 36 and 37, together with that of the nut 29 on the spiral 27, turns said transmission shaft idly, so that the parts all revolve together. The op- .erator, then, from-his position in the car, throws the transmission from neutral into low-or other selected speed, which places a resistance on the transmission shaft, thus causing the nut to run up on the spiral and compress the cushion spring This cushioning or tensionin effect, of course, gradually increases in strength until it is sutliciently strong to cause ifienut to propel the 5 car through the spiral against the resistance iof the load, which may occur before the spring is tensioned to its limit, or, in case the spring is so tensioned, occurs when the nut has traveled into engagement with the stationary collar 34, whereupon the drive becomesa solid one.' In order next to further accelerate the speed of the car, which is done by throwing the transmission to a higher speed, the foot lever 51 is depressed to the limit of its movement, as indicated in. Fig. 4, which disconnects all the clutches and leavesthe transmission shaft free so that the shifting can be effected without danger of injury to the transmission gears. This action, by disconnecting all of the clutches both from the engine and from the non-rotating shifting collar 43, permits the spring to expanch'causing the'nut 29 to run back to starting position; and, as the freed transmission shaft is lighter, as regards its rotative movement, than thememberQQ of the friction clutch (which latter is under a. certain degree of acquired momentum. it will idly turn the transmission shaft in its normal or forward direction of movement. The operator, having effected the shifting of the transmission gears, say from in"? peed to intermediate speed, thereupon reieases the foot lever, whereupon the spring 41 in: stantly acts to reestablish driving connectiw through thefriction clutch, the motor first retensioning the spring 33 and thereupon driving the car in'the manner already the scribed at the increased speed. The sam operations are performed in shifting the transmission to successively higher speeds. It .will thus be seen that two important functions are performed by the device; one

i of these being the starting or acceleration of speed of the car through a cushioned or flexible connection, whereby the starting or ac; celerating strain is rendered easy and gradual, thus avoidin jerking as well as danger of killing the engine; the other being the storing, when the motor is first started and when each shift of speed occurs, of a supply of energy (represented by the tension spring) suflicient to effectv the automatic starting of the motor whenever the same may get stalled for any reason whatever. For mstance, in case the engine becomes stalled by reason of an excessive load, by then throwing the'transmission to neutral position, thus freeing the transmission shaft from the load, and thenfdepressing the. to disconnect thev friction clutch and engage the clutch-memfoot lever 51 sufiicientl bers L4 and 45, as' shown in Fig.7 3, the expansion of the spring effects, through the nut and spiral, the turning of the transmission shaft in .a forward direction, the latter, through the clutch-membe'rs-37 and 36, thus cranking the engine. Again, it' is well understood that whenrunning at high speed the s arking is advanced so as to occur slight y before the piston reaches the ex.- treme limit of its compression stroke, in order to make most effective the force of the explosion. It occasionally happens, through carelessness,'that an operator attempts, to crank the engine without having properly adjusted thesparking to insure'a forward drive, which may result in a back-kick. In the case of the present device, should a back-kick occur while cranking through the pedal lever, the latter being in the intermediate position shown in Fig. 3, the only result would. be to retension the spring, through the back turning of the spiral effected through the engagement of the clutch members 36 and 37 (the clutch 44, 45 holding the sleeve 25 against rotation); and as soon as the resistance of the spring had equaled and neutralized the backward rotative movement of the engine shaft, the spring would react to drive the engine shaft in the opposite or forward direction, thus recranking the engine.

The same principle of operation is embodied in a slightly modified form of mechanism shown in Figs. 6 and 7. -In these latter views I have designated such'parts as are duplicates of corresponding parts in Figs. 1

to 5, inclusive, by the samereference nu-' merals with an alphabetical exponent. In this form of mechanism, however, the spring energy, instead of being stored and given out through the agency of-a nut and spiral, is stored and given out directly through the agency of rotary members to which the inner and outer ends of a flat helical spring are respectively connected. In the drawings,

- ,61 designates the spring, the outer end of which is anchored at 62 to an annular rib 63 of the car,

-movement by coupling to only the required rotative effort.

end of the sleeve 67 projecting over. the teeth of the clutch-member 37 in .a mannerto engage the rib 59 of the clutch-member 36 to separate said clutch-members in the manner already described. With this form of the device the same clutch-operating means (footlever 51 and connections to the collar 43) are employed as in the form already. described. The device is first cranked by hand with the transmission gearin neutral position, leaving the transmission shaft 13 free to rotate; and, as soon as the engine is started, the resistance of the load is placed on the shaft 13, which arrests the rotation of the sleeve 67 to which the inner end of the spring is anchored, thus causing the spring to wind up. As soon as the spring has been wound to a point where its resistance equals the resistance of the load,

the vehicle begins to move, and the drive continues directly through the spring. When necessary tore-crank the engine, the outer end of the spring is locked against ther the clutchmembers 44" and 45 (the shaft 13 having been freed by throwing the transmission gears into neutral position), whereupon the stored energy of the spring acts through its inner end to rotate the sleeve 67 and, through the clutch-members 37 and 36, recrank the engine. .By throwing the foot lever to' the limit of its movement, both of the toothed clutches, as well as the friction clutch, are uncoupled, thus leaving the machine free to coast without chatter or wear of the clutch teeth. In short, any and all of the operations set forth in connection with the description of the form of the invention shown in Figs. 1 to 5, inclusive, are capable of being performed with the device shown in Figs. 6 and 7; the onlydifference in manner of'operation being that, in the latterform the entire stored energy of the spring is given out in-the cranking operation, while in the form shown in Figs. 1

to 5, inclusive, the amount of spring energy given out will depend upon the abruptness or otherwise of the curve of the spiral, which latter can be figured according to the strength of the spring employed and the amount of energy required to properly crank the engine, so that it will give substantially construction of Figs. 6 and 7 is employed,

When the however, any desired strength of spring may be used. For instance, if spring affording only uliicient energy to insure the cranking of the engine is employed, it will first be wound up to its limit, the propulsive effort of the engine being then exerted through the solid spring without any injury to the latter. in other words, if a spring possessing a strength equal to or exceeding the maximu m resistaire of the load is employed, it will afford a continuous cushion effect between the engine and the transmission shaft, and. it the cue exceeds that desirable for cranking purp it can be diminished or reduced by ea the clutch-member 22 back into cue went with its companion clutch-member ls, thus imposing a braking action on the spring.

It is well known that in the case of motor vehicles driven through the rear axle by a differential gear, travel on a curved path, as in rounding a corner, imposes a severe back pressure on the differential gear. unless the propelling or transmission shaft is entirely disconnected from the motor. This is easily and simply effected in the present case by simply throwing the foot lever to the limit ofits movement, thus separating all of the connections between the motor shaft and the trai'ismission shaft. leaving the latter free to idle, the; complete separation of the ratchet clutches also obviating any objectionable noise or chatter, and rendering the operation a noiseless one.

Another noteworthy advantage which the present invention atfords resides in the fact that slip and lost motion is not required in the main friction clutch. In fact, the clutch surfaces may be put at such an angle that the clutch-members \vill practically lock at once upon coming together, the spring cuslrion alfording the requisite ease of action in starting or changing the speed of the car, which is absolutely necessary.

It will be observed with more particular reference to Figs. 1 to I) inclusive that the two members of the main friction clutch. together with the hub and sleeve portions thereof, constitute in effect a balanced flywheel, such as is required in all explosive motor mechanisms of this type. In other words, the invention in effect adapts the ordinary balance or fly-wheel, through a suitable modification thereof. to effect its purpose. and without involving additional said shafts, includlng a frlction clutch memweight. The gradual and cushioned starting movement which the device of the invention effects also saves injury to the tires, as it avoids the Stretching and rending strain inmosed on the fabric of the tires in a sudden 1"." jerky start.

ii will be evident to those skilled in tlr art that the underlying principle of the nvention is by no means limited tn. the spec fi details of mechanism herein sh wn and del clutch member and scribed, which latter may be considerably modified in sspect to both construction and relative arrangement without involving any departure from, or sacrificing any of the advantages of, the invention.

I am aware that it has heretofore been proposed to store the momentum energy of the vehicle through the agency of a spring, and later impart such energy to the engine shaft for purposes of cranking. My invention is, however, sharply distinguished from all such devices in that the spring energy is stored, not by momentum of the vehicle, but by the motor itself, through a flexible drive, so that my device is available not merely for restarting the motor, but possesses the further valuable function of cushioning the drive and relieving the car and passengers of the sudden jerks and shocks so frequently incident to an abrupt start or acceleration resulting from a sudden locking or coupling of the mainfriction clutch.

I claim:

1. The combination of an engine shaft, a transmission shaft, and flexible transmission and starting mechanism interposed between said shafts, including a clutch member having a hub sleeved upon and secured to the engine shaft, a cooperating movable clutch member, the hub of the first mentioned clutch member having a chambered portion and said movable clutch member having an annular boss positioned within said chambered portion of the hub. and a spring connection interposed between said movable clutch member and transmission shaft.

2. The combination of an engine shaft. a transmission shaft, and flexible transmission and starting mechanism interposed between said sbaftsl including a friction clutch. member having a hub sleeved upon and secured to the engine shaft. a cooperating movable clutch member. the hub of the first mentioned clutch member having a chambered portion and said movable clutch member having an annular boss positioned within said chambered portion of the hub, anda spring connection interposed between said movable clutch member and transmission shaft, the said mechanism being constructed and arranged whereby to form an evenly balanced tlv wheel.

3. The cbmbination of an engine shaft a transmission shaft, and flexible transmlssion and starting mechanism interposed between her having a. hub sleeved upon and secured to the engine shaft, a cooperatlng movable clutch member, the hub of' the first men tioned clutch member having a chambered portion and said movable clutch member havin an annular boss positioned within said c ambered portion of the hub a spr n c nnection interposed between sai mm nDlQ transmission shaft, and

an interlocking connection between the two shafts operable to impart movement from the transmission shaft to the engine shaft.

4. The combination with an engine shaft and a transmission shaft, of a clutch one member whereof is rigid with said engine shaft. a flexible member between the other member of said clutch and said transmission shaft and engaging directly a fixed part of the latter, the flexible member being adapted to be placed under tension from the engine shaft during the initial part of its turning movement, and means whereby when said clutch is uncoupled the energy thus stored is subsequently released and exerted upon said engine shaft.

5. The combination with an engine shaft and a transmission shaft. of a clutch one member whereof is rigid with said engine shaft, a spring cushion connection between the other member of said clutch and said transmission shaft, means whereby said other member of the clutch is held against rotation when said clptch-members are uncoupled, and means whereby the stored energy of said spring cushion is exerted upon said engine shaft to turn the latter in a forward direction. whilesaid other member of the clutch is held against rotation.

6. The combination with an engine shaft and a transmission shaft, of a double clutch connection therebetween, means for uncoupling one clutch to effect. cranking of the engine, and means actuated by said last mentioned means for uncoupling both clutches to disconnectsaid shafts.

7. The combination with an engine shaft and a transmission shaft, of two clutch connections between said shafts, one of said clutch connections being operative to actuate the engine shaft from the transmission shaft, and the other of said clutch connections being flexibly joined to the transmission shaft. means for uncoupling said lastnamed clutch to effect cranking of the engine. and means for uncoupling both of said clutches whereby to free the transmission shaft from the engine shaft.

8. The combination with an engine shaft and a transmi sion shaft, of a clutch one member whereof is keyed to said engine shaft. a spiral rigid with said transmission shaft, a nut on said spiral slidably and nonrotatably mounted relative to the other member of said clutch. elastic means for forcing said nut lengthwise of said spiral.-

a second clutch between said engine and transmission shafts, and means to hold said other clutch-member against turning when released.

9. The combination with an engine shaft and a transmission shaft, of a clutch one member whereof is keyed to said engine shaft, a spiral rigid with said transmission shaft, a nut on said spiral slidably and nonrotatably mounted relative to the other member of said clutch, elastic means for forcing said nut lengthwise of said spiral, a second clutch between said engine and transmission shafis, means to hold said other clutch-member against turning when released, and means for uncoupling said second clutch whereby to disconnect said shafts.

10. The combination with an engine shaft and a transmission shaft, of a clutch one member whereof is keyed to said engine shaft and the other member whereof has a sleeve, a spiral rigid with said transmission shaft and lying within said sleeve. a nut on said spiral splined to said sleeve, a spring abutting at one end against said nut, an abutment member for the other end of said spring. a second clutch between said engine and transmission shafts. and means to hold said sleeve against turning when said first named clutch is uncoupled.

11. The combination with an engine shaft and a transmission shaft, of a clutch one member whereof is keyed to said engine shaft and the other member whereof has a sleeve. a spiral rigid with said transmission shaft and lying within said sleeve. a nut on said spiral splined to said sleeve. a spring abutting at One end against said nut, an abutment member for the other end of said spring, a second clutch between said engine and transmission shafts, a third normally uncoupled clutch between said sleeve and a non-rotatable member, and means for first coupling said last-named clutch and then uncoupling said first-named clutch.

12. The combination with an engine shaft and a transmission shaft. of a clutch one member whereof is keyed to said engine shaft and the other member whereof has a sleeve. a spiral rigid with said transmission shaft and lying within said sleeve, a nut on said spiral splined to said sleeve. a spring abutting at one end against said nut. an abutmentmember for the other end of said spring. a second clutch between said engine and transmission shafts, adapted to transmit movement from the latter to the former, a third normally uncoupled clutch between said sleeve and a non-rotatable member. and means for successively coupling said lastnafi-ied clutch, uncoupling said first-named clutch. and uncoupling said second clutch.

13. The combination with an explosive motor and a driven shaft, of a clutch and starting mechanism therebetween, constituting an evenly balanced fly-wheel. said clutch including a clutch wheel rigid with the shaft, a cooperating clutch wheel, and a spring independent of and operatively associated at one end with the cooperating clutch wheel and operatively connected with said shaft at its opposite end.

14. The combination with an engine shaft said clutch and said transmission engine.

and a transmission shaft, of a clutch comprising C( diptratlng disk wheels one member whereof is rigid with said engine shaft, a flexible member betweenthe other member of shaft and engaging directly a fixed part of the latter, the flexible member being adapted to be placed under tension from the engine shaft during the initial part of its turning movement, and means whereby when said clutch is uncoupled the energy thus stored is sub sequently released and exerted upon said engine shaft, the said flexible member being free from connection with the clutch members.

15. The combination of an engine shaft, two clutch members fixed thereto, a transmission shaft. a clutch on the latter arranged to engage one of the first mentioned clutch members. an auxiliary clutch arranged to engage the other of the first mentioned clutch members, and a yieldable connection between the auxiliary clutch and the transmission shaft.

it). The combination of an engine shaft, two clutch members fixed thereto, a transmission shaft, a clutch on the latter arranged to engage one of the first mentioned clutch members. an, auxiliary clutch arranged to engage the other of the first mentioned clutch members. a spring for yieldably connecting the auxiliary clutch and transmission shaft, and means for uncoupling the auxiliary clutch to effect cranking of the 'li'. 'lhc combination of an engine shaft, two clutch members fixed thereto, a transmission shaft, a clutch on the latter arranged to engage one of the first mentioned clutch members. an auxiliary clutch arranged to engage the other of the first mentioned clutch members, a spring for yieldably eon nccting the a-iixiliary clutch and transmission shaft. nit s w hereby the spring is tensione l from the engine shaft, and means whereby the stoeiwl energy of the spring is subsequently exerted upon the engine shaft in a manner to impart a forward turning, movement thereto.

18. The combination of an engine shaft, a transmission shaft. a yieldable connection thercbetween, to impart movement to the transmission shaft from the engine shaft and a, non-yielding connection between the transmission and engine shafts for imparting moven'icnt to the engine shaft from the i r nsmission shaft.

1?). The combination of an engine shaft, a 'insmission shaft, a yieldable conwrtioiil haerebetween, to impart movement to the" transmission shaft from the engine shaft and a direct non-yielding eonnectic between transmission and engine shaiis for im- ,J. ting movement to the engine shaft from i the transmission shaft.

20. The combination of an engine shaft, 3 transmission shaft, a yieldable connection therebctween, to impart mo ei'neu! to the transmission A aft from the engine shaft and a direct non-yielding connection between the transmission and engine shafts for imparting movement to the engine shaft from the transmission shaft, said connection including cooperating clutch members secured to the respective shafts.

21. The combination with an engine shaft, disk shaped member secured thereto hav ing a clutch part, an auxiliary disk sl1aped member having a cooperating clutch part, a. transmission shafaa flexible connection between the auxiliary disk member and the transmission saaft. and an interlocking connection between the two shafts operable to transmit movement from the transmission shaft to the engine shaft.

The combination with an engine shaft, a disk shaped member secured thereto, a peripheral flange on the disk shaped member forming a clutch part, an auxiliary disk shaped member having a peripheral flange forming a eot'iperating clutch part, a transmission shafi a flexible connection between the auxiliary dish member and the transmission shaft, and an interlocking connection between the two shafts operable to transmit movement item the transmiss on. shaft to the engine in;

23. The c mbinatien with an engine shaft, a disk shaped member secured thereto, a 'ieripheral flange on the disk member forming a clutch part, an auxiliary disk shaped member having a peri 'iheralflange forming a cooperating clutch part. a transmission shaft, a flexible coin ,ction between the a xiliary dish member and the tl'ilYlSlTllSFlOll shaft, and an interloclzim connection between the two shafts o; ible to transmit movementfrem the transmission shaft to the engine shaft, means for movingthe auxiliary disk member to release the coi'iperatint: clutch part and a centering de ice for said anKilian, disk member.

= combination of an en fine shaft, a transmi in shaft, col i'icrating clutch members, a slidable member moiimted on the transmissionshaft, a flexible engagement between the slidable member and transmission shaft, one of said clutch members being fixed to the engine shaft, and means whereby the same through its cooperating clutch member will impart sliding movement to the slidable i'nember to place the spring under tension, auxiliary clutch connection be tween the engine and transmission shafts, and means whereby the stored energy of the spring will impart motion to the engine shaft from the transmission shaft. 7

25. The combination with an engine. and a transmission shaft, of n member whereof is he ed to said shaft, a nut mounted on the transmission shaft and being slidable and non-rotatably mounted relative to the other member of said clutch, elastic means for forcing said nut lengthwise of the transmission shaft, a

second clutch between said engine and transmission shafts, and means to hold said other clutch member against turning when released.

26. -The combination with an engine shaft and a transmission shaft, of a clutch one member whreof is keyed to said engine shaft and the other member whereof has a flexible connection with the transmission shaft, a second clutch between said engine and transmission shafts for imparting movement from the transmission shaft to the engine shaft, a third normally uncoupled clutch for said flexible connection, and means for first coupling said last named clutch and then uncoupling said first named clutch.

27. The combination with an engine shaft and a transmission shaft, of a preliminary flexible power transmitting connection therebetween including normally disengaged locking surfaces operable to engage one another and establish a fixed connection therebetween.

28. The combination with an engine shaft and a transmission shaft, of a flexible power transmitting connection therebetween, and means whereby said flexibleconnection is tensioned from the engine shaft to impart movement to the transmission shaft, and means whereby said flexible connection is converted into a fixed connection, including opposed lockin surfaces.

29. The com ination with an explosive motor having a drive shaft, of a driving shaft, an interpose transmission shaft, a connection between the drive and transmission shafts whereby the latter is actuated to operate the drive shaft, said connection including a spring, means whereby said spring is adapted to impart initial movement to the drive shaft, and means movable with the spring for clutching the shafts together after the spring has moved a predetermined distance.

30. The combination of an engine shaft, transmission shaft, cooperating clutch members interposed between the shafts, a flexible connection between one member of the clutch and the transmission shaft whereby when the clutch members are in engagement the transmission shaft is operated by the engine shaft, an auxiliary connection between the shafts, and means for releasing the clutching members whereby the yielding connection will operate to impart movement to the engine shaft through said auxiliary connection.

31. The combination of an engine shaft, a transmission shaft, a mechanical flexible connection between the two, means whereby the drive is transmitted through the flexible connection to a certain extent, and means movable with the flexible member for establishing a rigid connection between the engine and transmission shafts and said flexible connection being adapted to store energy and subsequently release the same after starting the engine.

32. The combination of an engine shaft, a transmission shaft, cooperating clutch members interposed between the shafts, a flexible connection between one member of the clutch and the transmission shaft whereby when the clutch members are in engagement the transmission shaft is operated by the engine shaft, an auxiliary .connection between the shafts, means for releasing the clutching members whereby'the yielding connection will operate to 1n1part movement to the engine shaft through said auxiliary connection, and means for releasing said auxiliary connection.

The combination of an engine shaft, a transmission shaft, cooperating clutch members interposed between the shafts, a flexible connection between one member of the clutch and the transmission shaft whereby when the clutch members are in engagement the transmission shaft is operated by the engine shaft, an auxiliary connection between the shafts. said auxiliary connection being releasable, means whereby when the clutch members are released the yielding connection will operate to impart motion to the engine shaft through said auxiliary connection. and a common means for releasing said clutch members and auxiliary connection.

JOHN F. WHl'llE. lVitnesscs SAMUEL N. Poxn, ALLEN W. Moons. 

